North American Phalanx Jany 23 1848
Dear Friends
Your several letters were duly recd and our reply has not
been delayed from want of due consideration, but mainly for the reason that
we scarcely knew what to say.
You ask of us aid for the cause of 'Association' in sustaining the propagandist
branch of the movement. If you should ever fully know at
what cost, we have, in our inadequate way, sustained ourselves as Realizationists,
and then indirectly at least, propagandists, our seeming want want of
interest in your cause will not be uncharitably judged.
When it is considered that we had not the advantage of any central influence,
any directing mind or natural leader; and especially in
our domestic departments no one to whom we could look an authority;
but assembled a mass of promiscuous, and as in proved, incongruous
elements; and with no system established, depending upon the inpromptu
impulse of the few who were willing to work and wait patiently
for the coming of order; and that our hope of help has been defered
from year to year; and that the few who were willingly or able to devote
themselves to the common good, have alternated from one
detail of severe ^labor to another without intermission these three
years & a half, you may readily imagine that last summer when for the first
time we had anything like adequate force in our domestic
departments, a long arrear of unfulfilled family and personal obligations
remained. Also that from the continued influence of exhuasting
labor and destructive antagonism, a brief repose would not be unwelcome.
If therefore we do not at present join our efforts directly with those who in
civilized society are exciting themselves faithfully and worthily to
sustain propagation, you will not infer that we take no interest in
the subject, nor that we are indifferent to the labor and successes
of those who are conservating themselves to the work of spreading
this Gospel of Peace and of all fulness.
We hope yet to rejoin with you in the entire self sustaining sucess
of both the Propagatia and Realization branches of their true Church
of Humanity movement.
With Sisterly affection - we are happy to subscribe ourselves
Friend co workers with you.
on behalf of the Ladies of the N. Am. Phoelanx
Gertrude Sears
To the Ladies of the Boston
Union of Associatioonists
Miss Anna Q. T. Parsons
Secy
